Medal of Honor: Forrest T. Vosler – World War II (Air Mission) – December 20, 1943

Name: Forrest T. Vosler
Rank: Technical Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army Air Corps
Unit: 358th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group
Place and Date: Over Bremen, Germany – 20 December 1943
Entered Service At: Rochester, New York
Born: July 29, 1923 – Lyndonville, New York
Departed: Survived
Accredited To: New York

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Summary of Action

On December 20, 1943, Technical Sergeant Forrest T. Vosler was serving as a radio operator–air gunner aboard a heavy bombardment aircraft on a mission over Bremen, Germany. After releasing its bombs, the aircraft was severely damaged by antiaircraft fire, forced out of formation, and immediately subjected to repeated fighter attacks.

Early in the engagement, a 20-mm shell exploded in the radio compartment, painfully wounding Vosler in the legs and thighs. Almost simultaneously, another hit severely wounded the tail gunner and rendered the tail guns inoperative. Recognizing the critical vulnerability of the aircraft’s rear, Vosler took over the defense of the tail, maintaining a steady and accurate stream of fire despite his wounds.

A second 20-mm shell then exploded near Vosler, wounding him in the chest and face. Fragments lodged in both eyes, reducing his vision to blurred shapes. Refusing first aid, he continued firing, determined to protect the aircraft and its crew.

During the battle, the radio equipment was disabled. When the pilot announced an imminent ditching, Vosler—now effectively blind and slipping in and out of consciousness—worked entirely by touch to restore the radio. He succeeded in sending out distress signals before the aircraft went down.

After the aircraft ditched, Vosler made his way onto the wing unaided and physically restrained the wounded tail gunner from slipping into the sea until other crewmen could help them into the life raft. His endurance, courage, and technical skill under catastrophic conditions were directly responsible for the survival of his crewmates.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a radio operator-air gunner on a heavy bombardment aircraft in a mission over Bremen, Germany, on 20 December 1943. After bombing the target, the aircraft in which T/Sgt. Vosler was serving was severely damaged by antiaircraft fire, forced out of formation, and immediately subjected to repeated vicious attacks by enemy fighters. Early in the engagement a 20-mm. cannon shell exploded in the radio compartment, painfully wounding T/Sgt. Vosler in the legs and thighs. At about the same time a direct hit on the tail of the ship seriously wounded the tail gunner and rendered the tail guns inoperative. Realizing the great need for firepower in protecting the vulnerable tail of the ship, T/Sgt. Vosler, with grim determination, kept up a steady stream of deadly fire. Shortly thereafter another 20-mm. enemy shell exploded, wounding T/Sgt. Vosler in the chest and about the face. Pieces of metal lodged in both eyes, impairing his vision to such an extent that he could only distinguish blurred shapes. Displaying remarkable tenacity and courage, he kept firing his guns and declined to take first-aid treatment. The radio equipment had been rendered inoperative during the battle, and when the pilot announced that he would have to ditch, although unable to see and working entirely by touch, T/Sgt. Vosler finally got the set operating and sent out distress signals despite several lapses into unconsciousness. When the ship ditched, T/Sgt. Vosler managed to get out on the wing by himself and hold the wounded tail gunner from slipping off until the other crewmembers could help them into the dinghy. T/Sgt. Vosler’s actions on this occasion were an inspiration to all serving with him. The extraordinary courage, coolness, and skill he displayed in the face of great odds, when handicapped by injuries that would have incapacitated the average crewmember, were outstanding.